Barbosa and Knight Lead Men's Soccer Past Lenoir-Rhyne 2-1

HICKORY, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne University Men’s Soccer Team (5-3-1) lost on Wednesday night at the Moretz Sports – Athletic Complex as it fell to Pfeiffer University (6-3), 2-1, despite holding a 21-13 advantage in shots.

Pfeiffer took control early as it scored just 29 seconds into the match. The Falcons’ Renato Barbosa (Charlotte, N.C.) received a pass in the center of the pitch 25 yards from goal and placed a drive into the left side of the goal to give Pfeiffer a 1-0 advantage.

L-R settled in after conceding the early goal and dictated tempo for the remainder of the half. Pfeiffer, behind six first-half saves from junior goalkeeper Alex Moreno (Huntsville, N.C.), was able to retain its advantage going into the break despite 11 shots by the Bears.

At the 52:22 mark, L-R evened the game when sophomore forward Brendan Howard (Tampa, Fla.) served a ball into the box from the right side intended for John Ferguson (Fife, SCOTLAND) and a fortuitous bounce off a Falcon defender went into the right corner for the own goal to even the match at one

L-R continued to dictate play with ball possession but Pfeiffer was able to score the game-winner in the 75th minute. The Falcons’ Kash Knight (Gibsonville, N.C), after slipping past the Bears’ defense, lobbied a half volley just inside the near post from 16 yards out for the 2-1 lead. Barbosa was credited with the assist.

The Bears played with great desperation down the stretch as it created five scoring opportunities in the final 12 minutes but were unable to capitalize as the Falcons defense arose to the occasion.

Moreno made nine saves in the win for Pfeiffer while L-R junior goalkeeper Tom Heath (Solihull, ENGLAND) stopped two shots for L-R despite the loss. The Bears put 10 shots on frame compared to just five by the Falcons.